With one ruling, a state court has up-ended the way some convicts are sentenced.Video: Watch Matt Barcaro's reportThe decision has state-wide implications. In courtrooms across the Commonwealth, public safety is weighed with personal rights.Some say that one way to deter crime is to lock up criminals and that's what mandatory minimums do. Still, the state Superior Court recently threw a wrench in the way prosecutors - and judges - have been doing their jobs.It ruled that minimum sentences mandated by state law for drug and gun cases are unconstitutional.Cumberland County district attorney Dave Freed is concerned. He says that without mandatory sentencing standards, judges could now give violent criminals less time in jail."Any attack on mandatory sentences for violent criminals in my mind has a negative impact on public safety," said Freed. "It makes it that much more difficult to lock up violent criminals.Mandatory minimum sentences are not just tied to drug and gun cases. Homicide, some assault and sex offense convictions also comes with required baseline sentences.Now, defense attorneys like Bill Costopolous will look to broadening the Superior Court's decision."This case gives me authority to challenge the mandatory sentences in all the other cases that are not fact specific to this one and I intend to use it," said Costopolous.He says he's long believed judges should be able to set their own sentences and not be ham-strung by state lawmakers' mandates.Still, like many court cases of statewide significance, the ruling is expected to be appealed. Next month, a similar case is expected to be heard by the state Supreme Court. Many expect that ruling will set a statewide precedent for mandatory minimum sentences.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. —

With one ruling, a state court has up-ended the way some convicts are sentenced.

The decision has state-wide implications. In courtrooms across the Commonwealth, public safety is weighed with personal rights.

Some say that one way to deter crime is to lock up criminals and that's what mandatory minimums do. Still, the state Superior Court recently threw a wrench in the way prosecutors - and judges - have been doing their jobs.

It ruled that minimum sentences mandated by state law for drug and gun cases are unconstitutional.

Cumberland County district attorney Dave Freed is concerned. He says that without mandatory sentencing standards, judges could now give violent criminals less time in jail.

"Any attack on mandatory sentences for violent criminals in my mind has a negative impact on public safety," said Freed. "It makes it that much more difficult to lock up violent criminals.

Mandatory minimum sentences are not just tied to drug and gun cases. Homicide, some assault and sex offense convictions also comes with required baseline sentences.

"This case gives me authority to challenge the mandatory sentences in all the other cases that are not fact specific to this one and I intend to use it," said Costopolous.

He says he's long believed judges should be able to set their own sentences and not be ham-strung by state lawmakers' mandates.

Still, like many court cases of statewide significance, the ruling is expected to be appealed. Next month, a similar case is expected to be heard by the state Supreme Court. Many expect that ruling will set a statewide precedent for mandatory minimum sentences.